Carton closing and sealing apparatus



Feb. 4, 1958 v R. J. FAHEY CARTON CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS 4 SheetS Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 1'7, 1955 Feb. 4, 1958 R. J. FAHEY CARTON CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed Jan. 17, 1955 Feb. 4, 1958 Filed Jan. 17, 1955 R. J. FAHEY CARTON CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 MJ/W INVENTOR.

I Feb. 4, 1958 R. J. FAHEY 2,821,830

CARTON CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I mm Ill/IIIIIIIIIAZI/IIIIYA l INVENTOR.

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United States Patent CARTON CLOSING AND SEALING APPARATUS Richard J. Fahey, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Diamond Match Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 17, 1955, Serial No. 482,084

26 Claims. (Cl. 53-376) The present invention relates to an improved, high speed and continuously operating apparatus for automatically closing and sealing the covers of conventional paperboard cartons, in particular a well-knowntype of egg carton which is subdivided in a bottom section into a plurality of rows of egg-containing cells. A machine is afforded for this purpose which enjoys a maximum output capacity for a given area of floor space occupied thereby, in View of the fact that it is a duplex-type of machine. By this it is signified that the apparatus embodies two parallel closing and sealing lines, basically duplicates of one another, which are driven by common operating provisions.

An essential improvement in the present machine resides in the fact that the machine is adapted for instantly interchangeable and optional operation on cartons of different over-all dimensions in the transverse sense, i. e. cartons of differing heights and diflering widths. Accordingly, each of the closing and sealing lines, referred to above, embodies a pair of sealing units which are adapted to adhesively apply a sealing tape to a filled carton of one size or the other, as it longitudinally traverses the machine after having had its cover swung downwardly into closing relation to its bottom section.

The respective sealing units are spaced longitudinally of the apparatus, in fixed relation of each thereof to a horizontal machine bed, and an upper horizontal reach of an endless belt'type conveyor travels longitudinally over this bed adjacent, and preferably beneath, the successive units on the line. Simple provisions are made to elevate the vertical position of this reach, which enables cartons of smaller height to present their tops at the same elevation as the tops of larger size cartons travelling on the belt reach when it is depressed.

In accordance with the same general principle, provisions are made to adjust laterally the path of travel of the closed cartons on the belt reach, i. e., in the horizontal sense. This is done by the use of an adjustable, longitudinally extending carton guide rail for each closing and sealing line, in coaction with an opposed fixed rail. Upon shifting of the adjustable rail toward the fixed rail an edge of a smaller sized carton which is to be sealed is positioned in the same longitudinal path or line as the corresponding edge of a larger sized carton.

Hence both sizes of carton are positively guided in the transverse sense as they travel longitudinally on the belt reach, with their tops and their edges to be sealed in common respective horizontal and vertical planes. For cartons of the smaller size, the width of the carton path is diminished and its height is elevated; for larger style cartons it is widened and lowered. These respective change-overs are effected instantaneously.

It might appear from the above that, since both cartons present their edge to be sealed in a common longitudinal path, i. e., in a common relation to the sealing units of the respective parallel, duplicate closing and sealing lines of the apparatus, but a single sealing unit for each line should suffice. However, there is a substantial disparity in the lengths of the respective carton sizes, as well as in their cross sectional dimensions.

Accordingly, it is desirable to employ duplicate sealers, each individually controlled by the advancing cartons, to apply sealing tape to the different sizes in somewhat different positions and/ or ways. This, in particular, lends itself to the sealing of divisible style cartons in either or both sizes, requiring the application of sealing tapes on both sides of a central transverse weakened line of division. Control of the switch-over in reference to sealing units is made by mechanism operated simultaneously with the other adjusting means, and by a common actuator.

In the accomplishment of the above described objectives a pair of parallel horizontal conveyor belts of substantial width are each caused to travel with their respective upper reaches slidingly sustained by an individual, vertically adjustable belt slide plate. This plate is vertically supported on a common horizontal bed plate of the apparatus. The belts have their upper reaches in transversely spaced relation to one another on the bed plate, and the upper reaches are each supported along practically their entire length by the slide plate in question, which approximates the belt in width.

A vertical shift of the belt slide plate will thus lift the upper belt reach and bring a smaller size carton into the same operative, vertical relation to a sealer unit, to be described, as the reach presents a larger size carton when lowered. This shift is accomplished by inclined cam elements on the lower surface of the belt slide plate which are received in cam openings in the machine bed, and having coaction with an inclined edge of this opening. When the slide plate is shifted longitudinally forward the cams elevate the plate above the bed; when the plate is returned rearwardly it drops to flush engagement with the bed.

The cartons are guided in their longitudinal travel on the respective belts by a pair of parallel carton guide rails located on opposite sides of each of the respective belts, and the closed carton covers are maintained under closing pressure by rollers carried on these rails. One of the rails of each pair is appropriately mounted for lateral shifting movement toward and from the other under the control of inclined cam elements carried thereby. The last named cam elements are operated by coacting inclined cams mounted in fixed relation to the belt slide plate and, since the plates themselves are appropriately restrained from lateral shift in relation to the machine bed, it follows that longitudinal motions of the slide plate to adjust the vertical height of the belt reach will effect a lateral bodily shifting of the carton guide rails and presser rollers. This restricts or widens the path afforded between the rails for the carton travel on the belt, keeping the carton, regardless of its size, in proper lateral relation to a sealer. The laterally adjustable bars of the parallel pairs are preferably arranged to be the innermost, in reference to the machine bed, and they are connected to one another by springs, which thus urge the same in a direction to widen the two paths of carton travel; the cams act in opposition to the springs.

The effect of the foregoing adjustments is to maintain the portion of the cover to be sealed, regardless of whether a large or small sized carton is being operated on, in an identical position in relation to the sealing means under which the carton is transported by the belt. The same is true of the relationship of the carton cover to the presser rolls which keep it closed as the carton traverses the sealing units in question.

Mention has been made of the fact that proper tripping and conditioning of the two longitudinally spaced sealing units of the two parallel closing sealing lines is effected simultaneously with the adjustment of carton elevation and lateral position, as described above. This,

like the other operations, is done by cams in fixed relation to the longitudinally shiftable belt slide guide. Each sealing unit is provided with an adjustable trip mechanism which, when tripped by one of the last mentioned cams, will release a single revolution clutch, through which the operation of the associated sealer is initiated. Thus, though the individual sealing units are more or less conventional in character, the invention provides a selective control thereof which is integrated with the control of the means for positioning the cartons on which the sealers operate.

Moreover, the adjustability of the sealer trip provisions enables the sealers to be set for cartons differing in length, and so as to apply sealing tape thereto in accordance with different patterns. As indicated above, the apparatus operates on both the divisible style cartons, characterized by a transverse weakened severance line, and the non-divisible type, as well as on these styles in large and small sizes. As an example of a machine setting to this end, provision is made that when the belt slide plate and carton guide rails are in position to accommodate a small size carton, perhaps not ordinarily produced in a divisible size, only a single seal is applied to the center of the carton, being flexed about the meeting line of the carton sections and adhesively secured thereto. In this case, the seal will be applied under the control of a portion of a linkage associated with the for- Ward sealer of the longitudinally spaced units. The rear sealer of the pair is then tripped to an inoperative condition. In the event a large sized carton is handled, the U arrangement is such that the slide plate cams automatically produce an adjustment such that the rear sealer of the pair applies a seal to the forward half of the carton, while another portion of the control linkage of the forward sealer causes a sealing strip to be applied to the rear half of the carton.

All of the operations of adjusting the conveyor elevation, adjusting the carton guide rails and presser rolls, and conditioning the sealing units are accomplished by a single operator manipulation which is practically instantaneously performed. This simply involves the connection of a pivoted machine control lever to each of the longitudinally shiftable belt slide plates, whereby forward and reverse levered movement thereof results in the described carnming control operations. It is thus evident that the improved dual line, duplex machine makes it possible to close and seal egg cartons at the exceedingly high rate of speed demanded by modern commercial egg room installations, with instantaneous automatic changeover of the apparatus for efiicient sealing ofdifferent common sizes of egg cartons in present use.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general way of the nature of the invention. Other and more specific objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the construction and operation of the apparatus. A single embodiment of the invention is presented herein for purpose of illustration. The invention may be incorporated in other modified forms coming equally withinthe scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1A and 1B represent a combined view in side elevation of one set of the salient instrumentalities of the improved apparatus, Fig. 1B being partially broken away and in vertical longitudinal section, as Well as having omitted therefrom, for simplicity and clarity, portions of a cover closing means which adequately appears in Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view generally depicting the layout of the machine, certain of the sealing units being more or less schematically illustrated in view of the fact that they individually constitute no part of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation generally similar to Fig. 1B, being. likewise partially broken away and omitting much of the carton guide structure', this view serving mainly to illustrate the position of the belt slide plate of the apparatus in an upwardly adjusted position, as compared with its depressed position of Fig. 13:

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view, partially broken away and partially in horizontal section to more clearly illustrate details of the slide plate and guide rail control;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view further illustrating the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, it being understood that the major part of the sealing unit and its control on the near side of the figure have been removed to better show corresponding structure on the far side;

Figs. 6 and 7 are, respectively, views in transverse vertical section along line 6-6 and 7--7 of Fig. 1A, here again parts non-essential to an understanding of these views having been omitted; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the sealing tape applying units of the apparatus, of which there are four associated with the machine as shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 2, a general plan layout, it will simplify a description of the improved apparatus to assume that, with the exception of a limited number of parts operating in common with the two similar sealing lines thereof, such as a common motor drive unit, shaft mounting brackets, operating chain sprockets and chains, the instrumentalities appearing in this and other figures are identical in those lines, being disposed on opposite sides of the median longitudinal center line of Fig. 2. Parts appearing on opposite sides of that line are, both in their nature and relationship to one another, mirror reproductions of parts on the other line, with the exception of the mentioned driving instrumentalities. Accordingly, in the accompanying description reference will, in the main, be made to only one set, designated by appropriate reference numerals; corresponding parts and relationships on the opposite side of the medial line carry corresponding reference numerals, primed.

In reference to Figs. 1A and 1B, in view of the duplication, the set of sealing instrumentalities which would normally appear on the near side of the apparatus have been removed. Figs. 1A and 1B thus represent a view in elevation along the approximate longitudinal center line of the machine.

The apparatus is supported on a suitable framework 10 made up of parallel angle iron side members 11 supported by rigid upright legs 12, and the space between side members 11 is spanned by a rigid sheet metal bed 13 of heavy gauge plate welded to the members, the bed having appropriate apertures to accommodate pulleys, chains, cams, etc., as will appear.

Relatively wide endless conveyor belts M, 14 are trained about laterally spaced pulleys 15, 15 at each of the opposite ends of this elongated frame, the opposite ends of bed plate 13 having pairs of cut away recesses 15 to accommodate the belt pulleys. The pulleys are mounted on shafts 17 journalled in depending brackets 18 at the opposite ends and sides of framework 10. A suitable idler pulley (not shown) tensions the lower reach of each of the belts 14, 14' and the upper reach thereof, designated 18, travels above 'and in parallelism with the upper surface of bed plate 13. It is supported in this travel by an elongated slide plate 19, coextensive in width withthe belt and, as indicated in Figs. lA-lB, almost coextensive in length with the upper reach 18, the plate terminating at each end shortly within the end pulleys 15.

Plate 19 is appropriately guided for limited longitudinal sliding movement along and above bed 13, and restricted against movement transversely thereof, by depending lugs (not shown) welded on the lower surface of the slide plate, which lugs are slidably received in longitudinally extending apertures 20 in bed plate 13 (Fig. '5). It is cam-actuated for vertical shifting movement,

relative to bed plate 13, during this limited longitudinal motion. To this end, the bed plate is provided with longitudinally spaced, transversely aligned pairs of cam apertures 22, 22' which are of substantial transverse width, and the slide plate has welded thereto cam lugs 24 of generally similar shape, which depend from the bottom surface of the plate. Each cam aperture 22 is provided with an upwardly and forwardly inclined forward cam surface 25, and each cam lug 24 is provided with a similarly inclined cam nose or surface 26.

When belt slide plate 19 is in its lower position, for the accommodation on belt reach 18 of larger size cartons, the cam lugs 24 are received in bed recesses 22, the slide plate then resting flush on the upper surface of bed 13, as in Figs. 1A, 1B and 7. When plate 19 is shifted forwardly, the coacting cam surfaces 25, 26 engage to elevate the plate to the position shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6; and in this position a smaller size .carton is accommodated, its upper surface being then disposed at the same level as that of a larger size carton when belt 14 and slide plate 19 are depressed.

Sliding manipulation of the plate 19 is obtained through the operation of a hand lever 28 at one side of the apparatus. As illustrated in Figs. 1B and 3, lever 28 is fixed on a short shaft 29 pivoted in an appropriate bracket 30 secured to and depending from frame bed 13. A rocker type actuator 31 is secured on shaft 29 and is received in a slot 32 in a depending drive bracket 33 welded on the lower surface of slide plate 19.

Accordingly, with hand lever 28 in the counterclockwise, retracted position to the left in Fig. 1B, rocker 31 has shifted drive bracket 33 and slide plate 19 to the rear, in which position the cam lugs 24 are received in cam apertures 22. The slide plate is in lowered position, flush with the top of bed 13. When lever 28 is rocked clockwise and forwardly to the position of Fig. 3, the drive plate, the drive bracket and slide plate are actuated forwardly, and the camming coaction of surfaces 25, 26, occurs which raises slide plate 19 to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

A guide path or channel for the cartons in their travel on conveyor belt reach 18 is provided by an elongated outer side rail bar 35 of rigid rectangular cross section, which is fixedly secured to one of outer frame angle iron 11 by appropriate brackets 36, and by an inner side rail 37 of similar cross section, this latter rail transversely adjustable. Inner rail 37 extends the entire length of the apparatus, from its forward delivery end all the way back to a point where folding of the carton cover is initiated, as by a conventional plough type folder (not shown). Outer rail 35 extends from adjacent such rear point to the first or rearmost sealing unit of the apparatus, to be described, at which the outer side control of the carton is taken over by the sealer itself.

Rail 37 is supported for transverse adjustment by one of each of a number of sets of upstanding slide brackets 38, 39 which are secured at longitudinally spaced intervvals along the length of machine bed 13, between the rails and belts. Rail 37 is guided by brackets 38 and it is to be understood that the corresponding other guide rail 37 is similarly supported by brackets 39. These brackets have tubular upper extremities 40 which extend transversely and receive slide rods 41 welded on the inner side of rail 37. Flanges 42 on the lower extremity of members 38, 39 are bolted to bed 13, thus affording rigid supports by which the respective inner rails are carried for opposite transverse adjustment, as well as restraining the rails from longitudinal shift.

Rails 37, 37 of the two parallel carton sealing lines are biased toward one another by means of coil springs 44, which extend therebetween and are anchored at opposite ends thereto, the springs serving to return the rails from an outwardly spread position, in which they define the inner side of a guide channel for cartons of smaller size, to a closer spacing for larger size cartons. The rails are oppositely actuated to the last named position, in opposition to springs 44, by cam members 45 welded onjthe adjacent inner surfaces of the rails.

1 Each rail has a longitudinally spaced succession of these cams 45, the cams on the respective rails 37, 37' being in transversely aligned relation to one another. The belt slide plate 19 is provided with a similarly spaced series of upstanding brackets, designated 47, 48, 49 (see Figs. lA-IB), and these brackets each carry an inwardly disposed cam element 50, as best illustrated in Fig. 4. Cams 45 and 50 have complementarily defined cam surfaces 51, 52, respectively,.which engage with one another as the slide plate 19 is advanced forwardly, in the fashion described above. Since the guide rails are longitudinally restrained by their slide brackets 38, 39, camming engagement of elements 45, 50 causes the rails to be shifted oppositely against the force of springs 44, toward the sides of the machine and away from one another, the transverse rods 41, 41' guiding the rails in the sleeve elements 40 of members 38, 39. Upon rearward, retractile movement of slide plate 19 the cams disengage and spring 44 shifts rails 37, 37 toward one another.

As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the cam supporting brackets 47, 48 preferably have the cam members 50 thereof mounted on extension elements 54, 55, respectively, projecting upwardly therefrom and appropriately secured thereto, and the same is true of the third bracket 49. The extensions 54, are of inverted L-shape (Fig. 1A), and they serve the further function of controlling the operation of the individual forward and rear sealing units of the apparatus, generally designated 56, 57, of which there are two apiece, a set on either side of the center line of the machine.

Forwardmost extension 54 has a forwardly extending arm 58 provided with an elongated, round ended slot 59 defined in part by an inclined upper edge 60. Since the unit 56 is characterized by a dual control feature, arm 58 also presents a forwardly extending upper cam edge 61 which functions alternately with edge 60, as determined by the setting of the machine for large or small cartons, in controlling the operation of theforward sealing unit 56. The rearward sealingunit 57 is controlled by a forward arm 62 of the bracket extension 55, and this arms presents an upper cam edge 63, which tion. This operation occurs simultaneously with the two other control operations and will be described in greater detail atalater point. v

' In addition to acting as supports for the cam provisions heretofore described, bracket 48 on longitudinally shiftable belt slide plate 19 also supports a beltguide member 65 (see Figs. 1A, 4, 5 and 7). This guide is secured on the bracket below the rail shifting cam 50. Guide member 65 is positioned closely adjacent the inner edge of the belt 14 and slide plate 19, and has a rearwardly facing rounded nose 66 past which the edge of the belt may slide to confine the same in a proper longitudinal path. The fixed rail 35 on the outside of the machine frame, which is supported on the latter by brackets 36, is provided with similar, rounded nose belt guide members 67, simultaneously positioned on the outer side of the belt and secured on brackets 36. The sets of guide members 65, 67 prevent lateral displacement of the belt in opposition to lateral frictional effort exerted thereon by cartons which are transported on the belt.

The laterally adjustable carton guide rail 37 mounts a series. of carton cover pressing rollers 6 8, which are mounted on inclined axes on brackets 69 secured to the rail. At the time the carton reaches the rearmost sealer unit 57 its cover has been completely closed by conventional closer means, to be described only briefly, having been swung about a longitudinal cover hinge outwardly toward the side of the apparatus and downwardly onto the bottom section of the carton. Presser rollers 68 then engage the cover above and inwardly of its hinge, maintaining downward pressure thereon so that the cover will be closed and in proper vertical position for the application of an adhesive strip or tape by a sealer 56 or 57. Lateral adjustment of the rail 37 of course maintains rollers 68 in the identical lateral relation to a carton passing therebeneath, whether it is of a large or small size, and corresponding vertical adjustment of belt 14 by the plate '19 does the same in the vertical sense.

The sealing units 56, 57 (one of which is shown in Fig. 8) are germane to and a part of the present invention only in the manner in which they are selectively placed in and out of operation by automatic trip means controlled by bracket arms 58, .62, as heretofore outlined in a general way. A brief description of these units, which are identical in nature, will therefore suffice, and corresponding reference numerals will be applied thereto to a consistent extent.

Each of the units 56, 57 comprises a supporting framework or superstructure composed, in the main, of a pair of parallel vertical side plates 71, 72 appropriately supported on certain of the brackets 36 on the outer side of the machine framework. These side plates have upwardly extending uprights 73 secured thereon in which a reel of a pre-gummed paper web 74 is rotatably mounted on its spindle 75. The leading edge of the web is brought downwardly, past suitable guide and restraining means, around and beneath a pair of dating rollers 76 which are inked by felt'covered ink rollers 77. Rollers 76, together with an intermediate knurled feed roller 78,

are secured on a shaft appropriately journalled in plates 71, 72, which shaft is controlled by a conventional single revolution clutch 79. Further provisions, none involved in the invention, are made to perforate the web longitudinally as it is fed and dated, as an aid in the folding of the latter about the meeting edges of the cover and bottom section of the carton, as well as to cut off the web after a suitable length has been forwarded. The specific provisions may include a control cam 80 on the roller shaft and a follower 81 which is operatively connected to a cut olf knife (not shown), which knife takes a reciprocatory stroke at the end of each web feed-out cycle. In 'being fed out, an adhesive coated surface of the web ismoistened by a felt pad 82 which is appropriately supplied with water.

Th operation of one revolution clutch 79 is controlled by a'linkage, designated 84 in the case of the sealing unit 56 and 85 in the ease of the unit 57. Parenthetically, it is'at this point that the units 56, 57 differ in respect to their control, for, as illustrated in Fig. 1A, unit 56 is characterized by a .dual control structure featuring long and short tappet arms 86, 87, respectively, each having a tappet dog :88 mounted for longitudinal adjustment thereal ong,'w hile unit 57 is a single control arm structure,

to be described later.

The longer tappet arm 86 referred to above carries a laterally extending pin 89 to the rear of its dog 88 which "is adapted to be engaged by the cam surface 61 on the have a common pivot at 92 on the outer end of a downwardly extending strap'93 fixed on the shaft of dater wheels 76 and knurled roller feed-out 78, the shaft being designated by the reference numeral '94.

Accordingly, as bait slide plate 19 is advanced for- 8 wardly to elevate the same, pin 89 is cammed upwardly by edge 61, elevating dog 88 to a position in which it does not engage the advancing end of a closed carton. Coincident with this upward retraction of dog 88, the sloping cam edge 60 of slot 59 releases downward pressure on a rear tail 91 of short tappet arm 89, so that it is free to move downwardly to tripping position. The longer tappet arm 86 has a rear tail similar to that on arm 87, and through these tail elements both arms are urged clockwise by coil springs secured thereto and anchored to mounting strap 93.

To recapitulate, as pin 89 rides up on cam edge 61, tappet dog 88 of arm 86 is elevated to inoperative position and does not engage the forward end of a carton. Simultaneously with this, restraining pressure is relieved from shorter arm 87, its spring then lowering it into a position in which its dog will be engaged by the advancing end of the carton. Upon a carton end striking either of the dogs, the strap 93 is given a partial counterclockwise rotation, as viewed in Fig. 1A. Since strap 93 is secured to shaft 94 the latter is correspondingly rotated.

A simple linkage as shown in Fig. 8, in the form of a short, forwardly extending clutch throw-out arm 95 secured on shaft 94 on to the inner side of clutch 79, a forwardly extending detent lug arm 97 pivoted on superstructure side plate 71, and a connecting link 98 articulating the outer ends of these two arms, serves to with draw a detent lug 99 on arm 97 from holding relation to a clutch control pin when partial rotation of shaft 94 causes the linkage to be correspondingly rocked. Clutch 79 now permits a 360 rotation of the dating and feed-out shaft, at the conclusion of which the shaft in question is declutched.

As the severed length of tape 74 issues from sealing unit 56 it is guided about the meeting line of the carton cover and bottom sections by a series of folding and pressure idler rollers 101, 102, 103, 104, journallcd as shown in Fig. 8 on transversely extending spindles, which spindles have a spring biased mounting on a rodlike pivoting superstructure, generally designated 186. The tape is also guided and pressed by further idler rollers 187, 108, the spindles of which are vertically disposed and have a similar, resiliently biased mounting on superstructure 166. As the rollers are resiliently urged against the advancing carton they progressively fold the severed tape about the meeting edges of the cover and bottom of the carton, applying adequate pressure to seal the gummed tape to those surfaces, but without inflicting damage on the fragile articles in the carton (see Fig. 7).

The rearmost sealing unit 57 and its control provisions operate on a similar principle. Here a single tappet arm 110 is pivoted at 111 on a strap 112 secured on the shaft 94 of unit 57. Arm 110 is spring urged in clockwise direction in the same manner as the forward tappet arms 86, 87. A dog 113 adjustably mounted on arm 110 is normally in a position to be engaged by the forward end of an advancing closed carton, when belt slide plate 19 is in rearward, low position, upon which single cycle operation of unit 57 ensues, as described above. When plate 19 advances bracket 48 and a laterally extending pin 114 on arm 110 is engaged by the cam edge 63 of bracket arm 62, the arm 110 is swung counterclockwise in opposition to its biasing spring, elevating dog 113 to an inoperative position.

Further detailed description of the mode of operation of the sealer control linkages 84, 85 is unnecessary. ll sutiices to state that the same are so correlated that, with belt slide plate 19 in retracted and depressed position, for the accommodation of a large size carton, the tappet strip arm 110 of rear scaling unit 57 will be actuated by the advancing carton to apply a single strip to the same adjacent the forward end thereof. As this happens, the longer trip arm 86 of the forward sealer 56, also being in a depressed position, will be engaged by the forward .end of another carton in advance, and sealer 56 will operate to apply a sealing strip to the carton adjacent its rear end. Thus in the case of large size cartons two sealing strips are applied, one to either side of the transverse center line thereof. This is desirable, particularly in the case of cartons of a divisible type, adapted to be separated into two equal halves along a transverse perforated or otherwise weakened line.

On the other hand, when the slide plate 19 is advanced and elevated to accommodate a small size carton, both of the tappet arms 86, 110 will be elevated by the respective cam edges 61, 63, while the shorter control arm 87 of the forward control device 84 will be forced downwardly. It then is engaged by the forward end of the smaller size carton and the unit 56 is operated to apply a sealing strip to the middle of the small size carton, rear control device 57 being inoperative in this instance. The adjustability of tappet dogs enables devices 84, 85 to be set to handle cartons which may vary in other degrees in respect to length, or to which it is desired to apply the tape at different longitudinal points.

The operating instrumentalities thus far described are, as pointed out above, in duplicate along the longitudinal center line of the machine, it being of course understood that the respective sealing units 56, 57 will be mounted in right hand and left hand arrangements, so that the sealing strips dispensed by them will be applied along the outer sides of the cartons advancing on belts 14. As also indicated above, the driving instrumentalities for these operating subassemblies, together with the mounting provisions for the driving elements, are shared in common by the pairs of units on opposite sides of the center line.

All of the operating instrumentalities of the apparatus derive their motivation from a suitable prime mover, such as a gear head motor (not shown) mounted on a substructure of the framework 10. As shown in Figs. 1A and 2, a drive chain 116 extends upwardly through a suitable aperture in frame bed 13 and is trained about a sprocket 117 on a main drive shaft 118 for those instrumentalities.

Shaft 118 is journalled on a rigid upright bracket 119 mounted on bed 13 adjacent the machine center line, as well "as by further brackets carried on the outer frame side rails 35, 35, and it serves as a driver for a portion of the cover folding mechanism which operates on the carton cover prior to its arrival at the first or rearmost sealer 57.

To this end, a V-belt pulley 120 is secured to the shaft 118 inside of rail 35, and a cover closing V-belt 121 extends in a forwardly and inwardly inclined fashion to and about pulley 120. The folding and closing belt, as well as folding plow provisions associated therewith to the rear of the present apparatus, are of a more or less conventional nature, hence are not further illustrated or described. It suffices to say that as the carton issues from beneath belt 121, having been guided and laterally restrained by rails 35, 37 in its manipulation thereby, its cover is closed. In accordance with the principle of the well known type carton shown, the cover is latched along its outer edge in closed condition. Appropriate provisions, also not necessary to show, are preferably made to drive the conveyor belts 14, 14 from the prime mover of the machine, as by a chain drive connection to one of the end shafts 17.

In regard to the drive for the sealing units 56, 57, as illustrated in Fig. 2 shaft 118 carries a chain sprocket 122 to one side of sprocket 117, from which a drive chain 123 extends forwardly, being trained about a driven sprocket 124 (Fig. 1A) secured to shaft 94 of the single revolution clutch 79 of rearmost sealer unit 57. An-

other and longer, forwardly extending drive chain 125 is driven by a further sprocket 126 secured on shaft .118. Chain 125 drives a sprocket 127 secured on a transverse shaft 128 which is journalled in a central bracket 129 on the bed 13, as well as at its ends in appropriate brackets carried by the outer rails 35 of the apparatus. Sultanother sprocket 130 secured on shaft 128 carries a final drive chain 131 which is in turn trained about a sprocket 132 on the shaft of the single revolution clutch 7!! of apparatus is considered neither necessary nor desirable.

With power applied to shaft 118 and the conveyor belts in motion, the operator rocks control lever 28 to the position shown in Fig. 3 to set the machine to operate on small size cartons.

This shifts belt slide plates 19, 19' forwardly, the coacting plate and bed cam surfaces 25, 26 and 25, 26 elevating the slide plates and belts to the position depicted in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. The limited advance of the slide plates causes cams 50, 50' on the sets of plate-mounted brackets 47, 48, 49 and 47, 48, 49 to engage earns 45, 45 on guide rails 37, 37, respectively, shifting the rails away from one another and restricting the width of the path of carton advance on belt reaches 18, 18'.

Simultaneously With these adjustments, the brackets 47, 48 and 47, 48' on the belt slide plates cammingly control the respective trip devices 84, and 84, 85' of sealer units 56, 57 and 56, 57', setting them to dispense and apply sealing tape lengths 74 to the cartons, in accordance with the scheme previously described. When larger cartons are handled a reverse manipulation of control lever 28 restores the parts to the positions shown in Figs. 1A, 1B and 7 and the operation of the machine proceeds in the same fashion, with the cartons registered in the same relation to sealers 56, 57 and 56, 57', as in the first instance.

The machine is very compact, extremely efficient and practically incapable of improvement as regards its speed and versatility in change-over to handle different carton styles. It needs no supervision other than to insure a continuing supply of cartons to be sealed, and its duplex character gives it a maximum output for its size. A notable feature of the apparatus, underlying all of these advantages, involves theoperation of all the driven instrumentalities of such a duplex machine from a common power source. An equally notable feature is in the ability of conversion or change-over, in all respects, by the use of a common control assembly, not to mention a common control element, i. e., the belt supporting slide plate.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for sealing cartons, comprising a conveyor having a horizontal carton conveying reach, a pair of longitudinally spaced cover sealing devices in vertically spaced relation to said horizontal reach, said devices operating optionally in the sealing of the covers of cartons transported on said reach, control means selectively placing said devices'in and out of operative sealing condition, and mechanism adapting said cover sealing devices to the closing of cartons of different sizes, comprising longitudinal carton guide elements mounted adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor reach in horizontally spaced relation to one another, said elements laterally confining cartons in their paths of travel on said conveyor reach,

transported .on-said reach, control means selectively placing said devices in and out .of operative sealing condition, and mechanismadapting said cover sealing devices tothe closing ofcartons of different sizes, comprising a supporting member on which said reach is vertically supported, means for adjusting the vertical spacing of said supporting member relative "to .said .cover sealing devices, and common means actuatingsaid control means and said adjusting means to simultaneously changethe vertical spacing of said .cover sealing means relative to said conveyor reach and to place a selected sealing device in operative condition.

3. Apparatus for sealing cartons, comprising a conveyor having a horizontal carton conveyingreach, ,a :pair of longitudinally spaced cover sealing devices in vertically spaced relation to said horizontal reach, said devices operating optionally in the sealing of the covers .of cartons transported on said reach, control means selectively placing said devices in and out of operative sealing condition, and mechanism adapting said cover sealing devices to the closing of cartons of different sizes, comprising a supporting member on which said reach is vertically supported, means for adjusting the vertical spacing of said supporting member relative to said cover sealing devices, longitudinal carton guide elements mounted adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor reach, in horizontally spaced relation to one another, said elements laterally confining cartons in their paths of travel on said conveyor reach, means to adjust the lateral spacing of said elements relative to one another, and common means actuating said control means and said respective adjusting means to simultaneously change the vertical spacing .of said cover sealing means relative to said conveyor reach and lateral spacing of said guide elements relative to one another and to place a selected sealing device in operative condition.

4. Apparatus for sealing cartons ,of differing height and width, comprising a longitudinally traveling conveyor belt reach, a horizontal, longitudinally adjustable member supporting said-reach between the ends thereof, a sealing unit mounted above said reach, laterally spaced elements on opposite sides of said conveyor reach acting to define a path of carton travel on said reach .along which said cartons are carried in operative relation to said'sealing unit, and means acting to adjust the lateral spacing of said elements relative to one another,.said means comprising cooperating cam elements connected to said reach supporting member and one of said laterally spaced elements and operable upon longitudinal adjustment of said supporting member to automatically shift one of said laterally spaced elements relative to the other.

5. Apparatus for sealing cartons of diiferingheight and width, comprising a longitudinally traveling-conveyor belt reach, a horizontal, longitudinally adjustable member supporting said reach between the ends thereof, a scaling unit mounted above said reach, laterally spaced elements on opposite sides of said conveyor-reach acting to define a path of carton travel on said reach along which said cartons are carried inoperative relation to said sealing unit, and means acting to adjust the vertical position of said reach supporting member relative to said sealing unit and the horizontal spacing of said elements relative to one another, said means comprising cam elements operable upon longitudinal adjustment of said supporting member to shift vthesame vertically and to shift one of said elements transversely 'relative to the other.

6. Apparatus for sealing cartons of differing height and width, comprising a longitudinally traveling conveyor belt reach, a horizontal, longitudinally adjustable member supporting said reach between the ends thereof, a sealing unit mounted above said reach, laterally spaced elements on opposite sidesof said conveyorreach acting to define a path of carton travel on said reach along =which said cartons are carried in operative relation to 12 said sealing unit, means acting simultaneously to adjust the vertical position of said reach supporting member relative to said sealing unit and the horizontal spacing of said elements relative to one another, said means comprising .cam elements operable upon longitudinal adjustment of said supporting member to shift the same vertically and to shift one of said elements transversely relative to the other, and common operating means for said respective adjusting means.

7. Apparatus for sealing cartons of differing height and width, comprising a longitudinally traveling horizontal conveyor reach, a longitudinally shiftable horizontal member supporting said reach between the ends thereof, means to shift said member longitudinally, a pair of sealing units mounted adjacent said reach in longitudinally spaced relation to one another, laterally spaced elements on opposite sides of. said conveyor reach acting to define a path of carton travel on the latter along which said cartons are carried past said sealing units to be sealed by one thereof, means acting upon longitudinal shifting of said reach supporting member to adjust the vertical position of the same relative to at least one of said sealing units and the horizontal spacing of said elements relative to one another, and means operated in synchronism with said adjustments to adjust the relation :of at least one of said sealing units to cartons traversing the apparatus.

8. ,Apparatus for sealing cartons of differing height and width, comprising a longitudinally traveling horizontal conveyor. reach, a longitudinally shiftable horizontal member supporting said reach between the ends thereof, means to shift said member longitudinally, a pair of sealing .units mounted adjacent said reach in longitudinally spaced relation to one another, laterally spaced elements on opposite sides of said conveyor rcach acting to define a path of carton travel on the latter along Which said cartons are carried past said sealing units to be sealed by one thereof, means acting upon longitudinal shifting of said reach supporting member to adjust the vertical position of the same relative to at least one of .said sealing units and the horizontal spacing of said elements relative to one another, means operated in synchronism with said adjustments to adjust the relation of at least one of said sealing units to cartons traversing the apparatus, and common operating means for said respective adjusting means.

9. Apparatus for closing and sealing hinged cover cartons comprising a machine bed, a continuously traveling beltconveyor having a horizontal carton conveying reach, said reach traveling over said bed, cover sealing means in vertically-spaced relation to said horizontal reach, said sealing'means operating in the sealing of the cover of a carton transported on said reach, and mechanism adapting said ,cover sealing means to the sealing of cartons of different sizes, comprising a longitudinally adjustable supporting member disposed on said bed, on which membersaid reach is vertically supported, coacting cam means on said member and bed actuable upon longitudinal adjustment of the former to change the vertical spacing of said supporting member and said cover sealing means, carton guide elements mounted adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor in horizontally spaced relation to one another, said elements laterally confining cartons in their paths of travel on said conveyor belt, and coacting cam elements von said supporting member and on one of said guide elements, said cam elements being operable upon longitudinal adjustment of said member to adjust the lateral spacing of said guide elements to one another.

10. Apparatus for closing and sealing hinged cover cartons comprising a machine bed, a continuously acting cover closing device, a continuously traveling belt conveyor having a horizontal carton conveying reach to which cartons are delivered by said device, said reach traveling .over said bed, cover sealing means in vertically ,spacedrclation tosaid horizontal reach, said sealingmeans operating in the sealing of the cover of a carton transported on said reach, and mechanism adapting said cover sealing means to the sealing of cartons of different sizes, comprising a longitudinally adjustable supporting member disposed on said bed, on which member said reach is vertically supported, coacting cam means on said member and bed actuable upon longitudinal adjustment of the former to change the vertical spacing of said supporting member and said cover sealing means, carton guide elements mounted adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor in horizontally spaced relation to one another, said elements laterally confining cartons in their paths of travel on said conveyor belt, and coacting cam elements on said supporting member and on one of said guide elements, said cam elements being operable upon longitudinal adjustment of said member to adjust the lateral spacing of said guide elements to one another.

11. Apparatus for sealing cartons of differing height and width, comprising a longitudinally traveling conveyor reach, a longitudinally adjustable member supporting said reach between the ends thereof, means changing the vertical position of said reach and member upon longitudinal adjustment of the latter, a pair of sealing units mounted above said reach in longitudinally spaced relation to one another, a control device for each of said units adapted to condition the same optionally to operate on cartons of different sizes traveling on said reach and positioned vertically in relation to said sealing units in accordance with the adjustment of said member, and means adjustable with said member to actuate said control devices.

12. Apparatus for closing hinged cover type cartons, comprising a continuously traveling conveyor having a horizontal carton conveying reach, cover manipulating and sealing means mounted in vertically spaced, operating relation to said reach and operating in the sealing of the cover of a carton transported on the latter, and mechanism adapting said cover manipulating and sealing means to the sealing of cartons of different sizes, comprising a horizontal supporting member on which said horizontal reach slides, means for shifting said supporting member longitudinally of said horizontal conveyor reach, means operative upon longitudinal shifting of said supporting member for adjusting the vertical spacing of said supporting member relative to said cover manipulating and sealing means, elements mounted adjacent opposite sides of said conveyor and laterally confining cartons in their paths of travel on said conveyor, cam members on one of said elements and coperating cam members on said supporting member which engage with the cam members on said element whereby to automatically adjust the lateral spacing of said elements relative to one another upon movement of said supporting member to adjust the vertical spacing of said cover manipulating and sealing means and said horizontal reach.

13. Apparatus for closing and sealing hinged cover cartons comprising a machine bed, a continuously traveling conveyor having a horizontal carton conveying reach traveling over said bed, cover sealing means in vertically spaced relation to said horizontal reach and operating in the sealing of the cover of a carton transported on said horizontal reach, and mechanism adapting said cover sealing means to the sealing of cartons of different sizes, comprising a supporting member for said horizontal reach disposed on said bed, means for readily adjusting said reach supporting member longitudinally of said bed, and means including coacting cam members on said reach supporting member and said bed which are operative upon longitudinal adjustment of said reach supporting members to simultaneously change the vertical spacing of said cover sealing means above the plane or operation of said horizontal conveyor reach.

14. Apparatus for closing and sealing hinged cover cartons comprising a machine bed, a continuously acting cover closing device, a continuously traveling belt conveyor having a horizontal carton conveying reach traveling over said bed to which cartons are delivered by said device, cover sealing means in vertically spaced relation to said horizontal reach and operative to seal the cover of a carton transported on said horizontal reach, and mechanism adapting said cover sealing means to the sealing of cartons of diiferent sizes, comprising a longitudinally extending supporting member for said horizontal reach disposed on said bed, coacting cam plates and cam sl-ots between said supporting member and said bed which are operative upon longitudinal shifting of said supporting member to change the vertical spacing between said horizontal reach and said cover sealing means, and coacting manually operated cam members on said bed and said supporting member for shifting said supporting member longitudinally of said bed.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, said control means comprising extension elements having cam edges thereon adapted to engage control elements of said sealing devices.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, said control means comprising inverted L-shaped extension elements having cam edges on the generally horizontal arms thereof, said cam edges cooperatively engaging control elements of said sealing devices.

17. The apparatus of claim 2, said control means comprising extension elements having cam edges thereon adapted to engage control elements of said sealing devices.

18. The apparatus of claim 2, said control means comprising inverted L-shaped extension elements having cam edges on the generally horizontal arms thereof, said cam edges cooperatively engaging control elements of said sealing devices.

19. The apparatus of claim 10, said latter mentioned means being connected to said member and comprising extension elements having cam edges thereon.

20. The apparatus of claim 10, said latter mentioned means comprising inverted L-shaped extension elements having cam edges on the generally horizontal arms thereof, said cam edges cooperatively engaging control elements of said sealing devices.

21. The apparatus of claim 4, and further comprising means supportingly engaging said one of said laterally spaced elements and confining said one element to lateral movement.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, and spring means yieldingly urging said one element in the direction opposite to that in which said cam elements urge it.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, said last mentioned means comprising tubular means receiving rods attached to said one element.

24. The apparatus of claim 12, and further comprising means supportingly engaging said one element and confining said one element to lateral movement.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, and spring means yieldingly urging said one element in the direction opposite to that in which said cam members urge it.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, said last mentioned means comprising tubular means receiving rods attached to said one element. 

